The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-20
THE THANKSGIVING TURKEY
On Account of the Drought 1t Will Fot
Be as Plump This Year as Usual.
But there is an Abundant Supply-Extent of
the Poultry Business in Indianapolis
the Greatest Market in the World.

The Thanksgiving turkey this year viii not be
10 fat and savory nor the celery as crisp and de-
icious as formerly. Both have been affected by
he drought While the turkey multiplied and
hrived in the hot dry air of summer, when fall
ame the farmer did not have enough corn to
teep the poultryyar supplied any longer than
Fas necessary. He therefore fastened the
poultry to market before its time, and for that
eason the turkey viii get for Thanksgiving
nay not be as plump as he has a right to ex-s
,ect There viii be enough of the bird, though,
10 honor the dinner table and afford bountiful
portions for the diners. Every body has been so
accustomed to have the turkey fat and perfect
that he will consider excellence this year as IN
ieriority. for there is nothing the matter with
She meat except that the bird did not have suf-
scient corn--for it can eat almost as much as
boy; or time to fatten before the breeder real
lzedon the product of his poultry-yard But
there will hardly be any so poor who cannot
have turkey for a Thanksgiving dinner.
Poultry is cheaper now than for ten years past;
but look out for the spring markets, say the
wholesalers. A retailer can get turkeys at 10
cents per pound and chickens at a cent less. The
consumers viii have to pay from 123 to 10 cents
for the former and about Ii and IL cents for the
latter, but when the retailer buys live poultry
and dresses it for his customers it will cost
more.
Within the last few years turkey-raising has
become extensive and profitable that what
was once considered a meat purchasable only by
the rich and well-to-do, is cheap as pork.
Illinois, Ohio, Indiana. Kentucky and Iowa are
the great poultry breeding States. The Ken
lucky turkeys are not up to those from Indiana
farms. for the Hoosier products considered
he best in the market. The other States raise
excellent poultry, and this year have had large
crops, but Indiana has the lead and Indianapolis
the rank of being the heaviest poultry shipping
point in the United States The local poultry
receipts the year round average for the three
largest firms engaged in the business about l00.
600 pounds daily. The smaller firms and the
srocers who buy from the farmers direct do
enough business to increase the yearly receipts
Of chickens and turkeys to 50,OoOO 900 pounds a
year A large proportion of this vast quantity
almost three-fourths-is shipped to the East.
A carload is worth about ST, 900, and in dollars
and cents the aggregate brings to the city an
enormous sum yearly. Five years ago
t took five days for shipment
of turkeys and chickens to reach New York.
Now 1T is sent there within three and quarter
days. 1t is all cared for by the refrigerator car
companies who have their icing stations at
Gain points where the ice is renewed and this pou
try is finally brought into the Eastern markets
In prime condition. There is but little loss on
poultry shipped from here, so much care by
various excellent methods is taken in preserving
the meats. The local packing houses are now
filled with poultry, much of which will be
carried over for the spring markets. The sys
tenn enables one to have turkey the year
around if he desires it, for in June and July
their meat be had from supplies that were
dressed and packed in the preceding September
and October
ers, for there is little of the chicken and turkey
that is not used Much of what one thinks at
glance is fur trimming dolmans, capes and
cloaks is made of the turkeys small body
feathers. The tail and wing feathers used
for busters. and so extensive has this industry
become that foreign busters are almost driven
out of the market But the wings of both
chickens and turkeys furnish another essen
tal for ladies' use. Corsets and bodices stiff
fened with the wing tips, and in millinery many
of the fine bright feathers come from roosters.
backs. They are called hackles, and the demand
for them by the trade is great. The giblets are
drawn-that is, separated-from the fowl for
the home market; but they part of the
chickens and turkeys that are sold to the East.
The meat is much easier preserved with than
without them. Packers say that if poultry rails
would change their feed often they would
have better success, although the meat is de-
cidedly superior to what it was even few years
ago.
AS long as Thanksgiving come and go the
turkey viii hold the ascendency. In the course
of time it may become common through cheap
ness. but the bird has so long formed the basis
of the feast on that day that it will be hard to
dlslodge it. In some sections the roast pig takes
pdTC SpTtdu, but lHt cllltI nonOf Is al
ways paid to the turkey and cranberry sauce |
Cranberres this fall plentiful and of good |
quality. but with tendency to advance in |
prices. Sweet potatoes, though are not up to |
the standard. There is good supply, but the |
price is upward Fancy apples are excellent, |
but the common varieties not what they |
were last year. Irish potatoes. too, have felt |
She effects of the drought. both in the quantity |
and quality, but turnips look well and are up to |
the average excellence when cooked. Oranges are |
beginning to come IN abundanty at reasonable |
prices. Malaga grapes are plentiful as are other |
delicacies to set off the Thanksgiving feast except
game. There is but little of that in the market |
Quails are scarce and high, and other varieties |
are hard to get.